7-6.5PRCW load data

[Pierre1969]

I shoot 180 Bergers and my freebore allows me to seat them long so the donut doesn’t have affect on my loads.

I have an AutoDod from F Class Products that cuts the inside as well as the outside on for me neck turned cases. But that cost some bucks.

A cheaper way to get rid of the donut is to use an L.E. Wilson reamer to cut it out from the inside. You do it on a fired case. Worked well till I got the AutoDod.

Thank you for the reply, Considering the exchange rate and the volume I shoot, unfortunately an AutoDod is not an option.
However, the reamer is a good idea.

 

[Pierre1969]

On the 6.5 prc I necked up and have fired I use the Wilson inside neck reamer. Did I have to do it probably not because I can seat my bullet out before it hits the donut. But it was an eye opener how much brass was removed from inside the neck. Some were worse than others. Some of the cases the reamer went in with no problem in other cases it took a lot of effort to ream the necks.

I find the same with the Lapua cases. The reamer seams to be a good idea. Hopefully after I have completed the seating depth group testing I will end up above the donut.

 

[Pierre1969]

I turn the neck/shoulder junction after two firings. I use the 7mm expanding mandrel without issue. Make sure you cut into the shoulder a bit.

A way to go to get to 2 off firings. Did any donuts return after? I am taking it slow and ask for help as this is my 1st custom barrel and my 6.5PRC I shot out the barrel in just over a 1000 shots.
I will do the outside neck turning 75-80% cutting a bit into the shoulder and use the reamer.

 

[JLT]

A way to go to get to 2 off firings. Did any donuts return after? I am taking it slow and ask for help as this is my 1st custom barrel and my 6.5PRC I shot out the barrel in just over a 1000 shots.
I will do the outside neck turning 75-80% cutting a bit into the shoulder and use the reamer.

No recurrence of donuts. I went two firings because nothing of consequence showed up after the first firing. I take a pass with a .2835" mandrel before seating and felt little-to-no resistance at the neck/shoulder junction after the first firing. After the second firing, the felt resistance was more significant and frequent.

Honestly, I don't have to bother because I seat above the affected area, but it makes running the mandrel before seating less of a hassle.

PS. Unless you wring the cartridge's neck, you can expect well over 1,000 rounds of accurate barrel life. I pulled my last barrel at just under 2,000 and it was still shooting acceptably. I load N-160, so that may have something to do with it.

 

[Pierre1969]

No recurrence of donuts. I went two firings because nothing of consequence showed up after the first firing. I take a pass with a .2835" mandrel before seating and felt little-to-no resistance at the neck/shoulder junction after the first firing. After the second firing, the felt resistance was more significant and frequent.

Honestly, I don't have to bother because I seat above the affected area, but it makes running the mandrel before seating less of a hassle.

PS. Unless you wring the cartridge's neck, you can expect well over 1,000 rounds of accurate barrel life. I pulled my last barrel at just under 2,000 and it was still shooting acceptably. I load N-160, so that may have something to do with it.

Much appreciated JLT. Thank you for the information and assistance .

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I know this thread is more oriented towards F class, but I'm seriously considering a 7 prcw for a 20" suppressed hunting rifle.
Its a Tikka action so I'll go with the longer freebore for 180 Bergers.
Does anyone have any data on where I should be at for velocity?

 

[WeatherbyFan]

I know this thread is more oriented towards F class, but I'm seriously considering a 7 prcw for a 20" suppressed hunting rifle.
Its a Tikka action so I'll go with the longer freebore for 180 Bergers.
Does anyone have any data on where I should be at for velocity?

I’m getting 2875fps with a 23” barrel, 175gr Berger with 57.7grs N555/215M, I’m sure you’ll be around 2800 in a 20” barrel

 

[Doublesunder]

What seems to be a good case OAL for this cartridge ?
I'm trimming to 2.013 after fire forming Lapua 6.5 prc.

Thanks

 

[FrankG]

What seems to be a good case OAL for this cartridge ?
I'm trimming to 2.013 after fire forming Lapua 6.5 prc.

Thanks

Question is what spec did your reamer cut the chamber to?

Our reamer is 2.040" from the case head to the case mouth if I remember correctly.

If your trimming to 2.013" you have plenty of room based on our reamer spec. You could run it as long as 2.030".

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[Doublesunder]

Question is what spec did your reamer cut the chamber to?

Our reamer is 2.040" from the case head to the case mouth if I remember correctly.

If your trimming to 2.013" you have plenty of room based on our reamer spec. You could run it as long as 2.030".

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

Thanks for the reply ! Looks like I have plenty of room to play with.
It's reamer spec is the Wheeler version.

 

[bbowles]

Got my first 7-6.5 prc build in the works. My goal is to do well in F class Open. Still not sure which reamer to use (leaning towards no turn), which brass (afraid to not use Lapua with the consistency of neck thickness i have had), and which dies.
1. Reamer: hearing the no neck turn versions are shooting as well as turn version.
2. Brass: recently bought 300 pieces of Alpha and was very disappointed. Necks and bullet runout was not good. Found out the case head and body were crooked. It wobbled as I turn it on a concentricity gauge. Never seen that before. So I am a little gunshy on anything but lapua. The lapua necks have always been less than .001 of neck thickness variation for me.
3. Dies: I have such good luck with SAC sizing die with their expander mandrel in one step. Better than separate mandrel die for concentricity for me in numerous tests. Worried about clickers if I don't use the cortina dies. Have loved the Micron seating die on a K&M arbor press.
I also have wondered why we all use expander and/or expander mandrel with lapua that is less than .001 neck thickness variation. Why not just use bushing only to control neck tension? I have used bushings and expanders for years also and wonder why I add the expander.
Thanks for any help.

 

[323]

Got my first 7-6.5 prc build in the works. My goal is to do well in F class Open. Still not sure which reamer to use (leaning towards no turn), which brass (afraid to not use Lapua with the consistency of neck thickness i have had), and which dies.
1. Reamer: hearing the no neck turn versions are shooting as well as turn version.
2. Brass: recently bought 300 pieces of Alpha and was very disappointed. Necks and bullet runout was not good. Found out the case head and body were crooked. It wobbled as I turn it on a concentricity gauge. Never seen that before. So I am a little gunshy on anything but lapua. The lapua necks have always been less than .001 of neck thickness variation for me.
3. Dies: I have such good luck with SAC sizing die with their expander mandrel in one step. Better than separate mandrel die for concentricity for me in numerous tests. Worried about clickers if I don't use the cortina dies. Have loved the Micron seating die on a K&M arbor press.
I also have wondered why we all use expander and/or expander mandrel with lapua that is less than .001 neck thickness variation. Why not just use bushing only to control neck tension? I have used bushings and expanders for years also and wonder why I add the expander.
Thanks for any help.

Alpha 6.5 PRC brass???? I use a Redding 6.5 PRC sizing die. Far as reamer I used Alex Wheelers version with 1 degree lead no neck turn for ADG brass.

 

[gmr4]

Alpha 6.5 PRC brass???? I use a Redding 6.5 PRC sizing die. Far as reamer I used Alex Wheelers version with 1 degree lead no neck turn for ADG brass.

Many people have tinkered with the original Wheeler IF you will be shooting 180 Hybrids…get the exact Wheeler at JGS.. they will have in stock. No turn and ADG Brass

 

[323]

Many people have tinkered with the original Wheeler IF you will be shooting 180 Hybrids…get the exact Wheeler at JGS.. they will have in stock. No turn and ADG Brass

That’s one we got all I shoot is 180 hybrids believe it or not the 180 eld-m shoots pretty darn good out of mine. I might try them at one of our 600yd fun matches. But for 1k yds all I use is 180 hybrids.

 

[bbowles]

Was Alpha 6.5 creedmoor. It happens. Every company has had a bad lot.

 

[EdHarley]

Got my first 7-6.5 prc build in the works. My goal is to do well in F class Open. Still not sure which reamer to use (leaning towards no turn), which brass (afraid to not use Lapua with the consistency of neck thickness i have had), and which dies.
1. Reamer: hearing the no neck turn versions are shooting as well as turn version.
2. Brass: recently bought 300 pieces of Alpha and was very disappointed. Necks and bullet runout was not good. Found out the case head and body were crooked. It wobbled as I turn it on a concentricity gauge. Never seen that before. So I am a little gunshy on anything but lapua. The lapua necks have always been less than .001 of neck thickness variation for me.
3. Dies: I have such good luck with SAC sizing die with their expander mandrel in one step. Better than separate mandrel die for concentricity for me in numerous tests. Worried about clickers if I don't use the cortina dies. Have loved the Micron seating die on a K&M arbor press.
I also have wondered why we all use expander and/or expander mandrel with lapua that is less than .001 neck thickness variation. Why not just use bushing only to control neck tension? I have used bushings and expanders for years also and wonder why I add the expander.
Thanks for any help.

I use the SAC dies for my PRCW and don’t have any clickers. 4 firings on some of my brass. They work great. I also have a 7 SAUM that was having clickers with a different die. A new SAC die fixed it

 

[Lance21]

Got my first 7-6.5 prc build in the works. My goal is to do well in F class Open. Still not sure which reamer to use (leaning towards no turn), which brass (afraid to not use Lapua with the consistency of neck thickness i have had), and which dies.
1. Reamer: hearing the no neck turn versions are shooting as well as turn version.
2. Brass: recently bought 300 pieces of Alpha and was very disappointed. Necks and bullet runout was not good. Found out the case head and body were crooked. It wobbled as I turn it on a concentricity gauge. Never seen that before. So I am a little gunshy on anything but lapua. The lapua necks have always been less than .001 of neck thickness variation for me.
3. Dies: I have such good luck with SAC sizing die with their expander mandrel in one step. Better than separate mandrel die for concentricity for me in numerous tests. Worried about clickers if I don't use the cortina dies. Have loved the Micron seating die on a K&M arbor press.
I also have wondered why we all use expander and/or expander mandrel with lapua that is less than .001 neck thickness variation. Why not just use bushing only to control neck tension? I have used bushings and expanders for years also and wonder why I add the expander.
Thanks for any help.

Pm sent